A band with a taste for the musically unusual, Russian Girlfriend’s songs are a display of power mixed with an evocative subtlety, affecting audiences on a primal, almost subliminal level. With influences throughout the musical spectrum, the driving force for the band’s songwriting is provided by Matt and Jools who, together with bassist Rob and drummer Dave assert a potent combination of searing vocals, compulsive rhythms, insistent harmony and brooding counterpoint: at once in your face and behind your eyes. Though comparisons have been made to bands such as Muse, Suede, Jeff Buckley and more recently Snow Patrol the current line-up, brought together in 2001 by the band’s founder member Matt Hanley, has been described as “something fresh and distinctive - truly original and in defiance of todays stereotypes.”
Following their first release in 2002, recorded in two days at Jonny Rivers’ Woodbine St Studios, Russian Girlfriend were given a tremendous boost when their song “Butterfly Order" was selected from thousands to receive intensive airplay on digital station Storm Radio, as part of their Rock Revolution promotion of unsigned bands. The station’s Ben Glover said of Russian Girlfriend, “They could be huge. In fact, I hope they will be!”, while Craig Pilling commented, “They will rock your face right off.” The band were further celebrated in “Godiva Rocks”, a history of music from the City of Coventry by author Pete Chambers, who praises their song “Chameleon Boy” and cites Matt Hanley as “The best voice Coventry has ever produced”. The book lists Russian Girlfriend alongside many successful and legendary local artists including; The Specials; The Selecter; Attrition; and King.
The band’s 2004 recording of five songs was overshadowed by personal tragedy within the band, and whilst two of the songs – “Born” and “Opera” received limited release, the hoped for LP of which they formed a part, never saw the light of day. Despite personal setbacks however, Russian Girlfriend maintained a busy concert schedule, involving themselves in many successful charity events both in organisation and performance, and appearing to festival audiences on the same bill as bands such as Shed 7; 4ft fingers; Jesse James; and Think Floyd. Journalist Dayle Crutchlow described the band during this period as “huge, dramatic, anthemic while simultaneously fragile”.
In 2006 Russian Girlfriend have returned to the studio to record four new songs with Jonny Rivers, an engineer and producer whose reputation for outstanding results has led him to work regularly with a who’s who of artists including Ocean Colour Scene; Dead Can Dance; Paul Weller; and Dr John. Their subject matters, such as the exploitation of Earth’s resources sit side by side with tales of ironic loss, corruption and manipulation of the weak, reflecting Russian Girlfriend’s sustained refusal to be pigeonholed – September’s acclaimed performance at the Napton Festival, alongside rock legends Girlschool, saw the band as accomplished as ever in sheer entertainment value and promises to be a mere taste of what is yet to come.
Russian Girlfriend are currently organising gigs around the country – if you represent or know of a venue interested in hosting Russian Girlfriend, please email |
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